King enclosure

[KrokadilyanGuy3]

I just realized we had an enclosure fourm so here's a question I asked in a different fourm. "Anyone have any info on this question "Door. I hear conflicting stories about the glass is tough and can withstand alot of hell and I hear it sucks and will break easily, so I was considering either switching out the doors and replacing the screen on the door of choice (Ive picked one out) with plexi, or should I just reinforce the glass with Mesh, or is it sturdy enough as it is?"
This door is an all glass swing open door. Mind you there will be an adult King Cobra in this enclosure.
Xain

[dvs]

Im no expert but I'd go with the plexi...... I just don't like the idea of the glass breaking for whatever reason. Plus it's cheap enough that it can get replaced every once in a while if it gets crappy.

[BrandonVeenstra]

Well, if your having an adult king cobra in their.. I'd say whatever you choose make sure its not possible to break through

[KrokadilyanGuy3]

I was thinking the same.. I'll do a trial run with it.. New Question though, I ment to ask, I will be using particle board becasue its cheaper, even with my discount, and its smooth. Im a plywood kind of guy and Particle board seems strong enough but would it break down when I screw them to the frame?

[Lisa]

If you use 5mm glass you should have no problem. Glass is very strong yet brittle. the thicker the glass the stronger it is. one advantage glass has over plexi is it doesn't bend like plexi, I'd hate to see the cobra hit the door hard enough to pop it out if it was made of plexi.

[KrokadilyanGuy3]

If my throwing a tennis ball at it breaks the glass, then I will use the Plexi, which would be glued and screwed into a new door, a wooden one.. ANyone have any info on the wood? Also, the cage will be in a secured locked room as well..

[mark129er]

No the particle board would be fine if you screwed it to a frame. I have no idea about the humidity needed by a cobra, but if it is significant you may want to seal around the screws (silicone etc).

[Lisa]

I would suggest something like a hard wood cabnet door with the center cut out.

[Batdad]

Originally posted by KrokadilyanGuy3
I was thinking the same.. I'll do a trial run with it.. New Question though, I ment to ask, I will be using particle board becasue its cheaper, even with my discount, and its smooth. Im a plywood kind of guy and Particle board seems strong enough but would it break down when I screw them to the frame?

If you're going to use particle board make sure you pre-drill the holes (less likly to split it), both the through holes and the ones the screws go into. Also you will probably want to prime and paint it to make clean up easier. A good latex primer and paint would work fine. If budget is an issue you could skip the primer.

Bruce

[KrokadilyanGuy3]

Ok, good deal, thanks. I'll take consideration of everything and will post pics whenever the time comes. Thanks Xain

[Lisa]

You might want to use melamine instead of plain partical board. Melamine is basicly partical board precoated with melamine paint. It will take you 1/3 the time and a lot less work on your part.

[KrokadilyanGuy3]

I've thought of that. But we only carry that in 12" x various lengths and that wont do. I'm only getting stuff from my work becaus I get a 50% off discount on most stuff I buy, so Ill stick to that.
I was thinking of using Ash instead as well, but Ive never heard of anything against it, or anyone using it as a herp enclosure. It is a ardwood so I figured it may be ok, any thoughts?
Xain

[Batdad]

It would work but because it is solid wood you are going to want to finish it (prime & paint), because it has pours which are almost impossible to clean (read sterilize) once it absorbs things like urine and feces. Particle board is made by refining (grinding) wood chips at a very hot temperature and adding glue, this results in a smooth nonpourous surface. :)

Hope that helps, I am tired, brain not wrking smoothly!
Bruce

[Invictus]

Use drywall screws (Much more coarse thread, and if it's for something as brittle as gypsum, it'll be fine in particle board) and, as mentioned, predrill the holes.

[Batdad]

Good point about the screws. Corase is better, but I would go with deck screws. Not much more money and rust resistant, drywall screws rust easy if exposed to any excess humidity.

[frogman]

I would use glass not plexi. Plexi scratches and looks like crap after while. I am using 6mm Glassin all my stuff now and it is STRONG you won't break it with a tennis ball. I had to get a piece out of an enclosure and I was just going to break it out. So I kicked and I the first time it didn't even crack the 2nd I made sure it broke but there is no way a cobra would break 6mm Glass. Unless I am grosely underestimating them.

Frogman